Office of Equity Newsletter
Winter 2021 Edition
Greetings!
We know that equity work is not done by one person or one office. The work of equity is collaborative and cross-departmental and extends into every school in our division. We also value our partnership with parents and our community as stakeholders in this work. Equity work is together work. Please continue reading our newsletter and be sure to watch the videos to see how the work around equity is happening throughout our division.
For more information, visit the LCPS Equity Page at: https://www.lcps.org/equityoverview. Also, feel free to reach out to Mrs. Lottie Spurlock, Director of Equity, at Lottie.Spurlock@lcps.org, or Dr. Traci Townsend, Supervisor of Equity, at Traci.Townsend@lcps.org.
LCPS Comprehensive Equity Plan
Our LCPS Comprehensive Equity Plan communicates the following commitments:
We will collaborate and engage families and community stakeholders to ensure student growth and success for every child;
We will provide a culturally-responsive, supportive environment for welcoming, identity-affirming, inclusive, and safe learning space for every student and adult;
We will utilize methodologies to eliminate achievement and opportunity gaps;
We will improve programming to leverage greater access, opportunity, and outcome data for students;
We will engage in continuous professional learning and coaching on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice work
This is a three-year plan aimed at ensuring that each student in LCPS receives a positive learning experience that supports their cultural, social-emotional, and academic needs. As you will see below, our LCPS Comprehensive Equity Plan is also aligned to our state plan.
NAVIGATING EDEQUITY VA
Equity Defined
Equality VS Equity
which may include additional and tailored resources and supports to create conditions of true educational opportunity..."
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Culturally Responsive Framework
If you have any questions, contact Jessica Harding, Supervisor, Office of Equity and Culturally Responsive Teaching, Jessica.Harding@lcps.org or Cynthia Lewis, Equity and Culturally Responsive Instruction Specialist, Cynthia.Lewis@lcps.org.
Equity Work is Our Work
The effort to ensure equity is seen throughout our division. In the video above, Mr. Markley (Brian.Markley@lcps.org) describes how culturally relevant instruction is incorporated in science. Also, below are just some examples that reveal our commitment to equity and embody the idea that Equity Work is Our Work.
- Dr. Clark Bowers (Clark.Bowers@lcps.org) and the Office of Student Services created guidelines for creating student affinity groups. Student Affinity Groups for Students of Color are dedicated to supporting students racially, culturally, academically, socially, and emotionally. Any student who supports this mission may join.
- It was a collaborative effort between colleagues in the Department of Instruction and in the Department of Pupil Services to create an updated version of Equity in the Center, Module 2, to provide professional learning and coaching for staff around Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice work.
- Several colleagues from various schools and central office served as facilitators to deliver the Equity in the Center learning.
- Mrs. Jennifer Evans (Jennifer.Wall@lcps.org) and facilitators of restorative practices from Student Assistance Services conducted Race Circles that were available to all students in LCPS.
"Equity can never become a reality in education if it is viewed through a lens of charity instead of a professional obligation."
Equity Leads
Each school has an Equity Lead who is responsible for collaborating with the principal to build a solid equity-focused culture throughout the school and ensure effective equitable practices are implemented schoolwide. They may do this by assisting in the facilitation of professional learning, collaborating to implement strategies that advance educational equity and eliminate discipline disproportionality, and helping to develop school improvement goals. Here is a list of the Equity Leads in our division: https://www.lcps.org/cms/lib/VA01000195/Centricity/domain/60/equity_initiative_documents/2020-2021_School-based_Equity_Leads_and_Principals.pdf.
In the video below, Ms. Goins (Krishawna.Goins@lcps.org), a teacher and Equity Lead at Goshen Post ES, shares her experience working with our Student Equity Ambassadors.
Student Equity Ambassadors
Examples of meeting outcomes include building and strengthening the Student Equity Ambassador community, reflecting on individual identities, and sharing and reflecting on student experiences of racism, injustice, or inequity. It is important for the adults to listen and hear our students voices.
The Student Equity Ambassadors have provided excellent feedback and are ready to represent their peers and excited to support the equity journey of their individual schools. Thank you to everyone who has supported our ambassadors and this effort.
Highlighted Winter Observances
- LCPS No Name-Calling Week Proclamation: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FG3ETGgirgRZA8yBizbwE-5l497KkiE8/view?usp=sharing
- International Holocaust Remembrance Day: https://www.lcps.org/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=1&ModuleInstanceID=274904&ViewID=6446EE88-D30C-497E-9316-3F8874B3E108&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=400158&PageID=1
- Black History Month Proclamation: https://go.boarddocs.com/vsba/loudoun/Board.nsf/files/BXHT6R75C425/$file/2020-2021%20BLACK%20HISTORY%20MONTH%20SCHOOL%20BOARD%20PROCLAMATION_.pdf
- Equity in Education Month - Sponsored by the Virginia School Board Association (VSBA): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fiKQ2GaI_FUzZjQIZlYGBpqw3cxsF1Ui/view?usp=sharing
The LCPS Office of Equity
Website: https://www.lcps.org/equityoverview
Twitter: @EquityinLCPS